Guard for spray valves

ABSTRACT

A guard for spray valves comprises a longitudinally-split substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having projections extending outwardly from the split ends. The guard member is expanded outwardly for positioning its bottom edge in resilient gripping relationship around an annular bead at the top of an aerosol sprayer. The guard member surrounds and protects a valve actuator mounted on top of the container, with the projections extending outwardly on opposite sides of a discharge nozzle. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced inwardly extending detents adjacent the bottom edge of the guard member projects beneath the annular bead.

United States Patent 1191 Williamson Dec. 10, 1974 GUARD FOR SPRAY VALVES [75] lnventor: Hugh C. Williamson, Willoughby,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: Universal Metal Products, lnc.,

Wickliffe, Ohio [22] Filed: Apr. 8 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 458,784

[52] US. Cl. 222/402.12 [51] Int. Cl... B65d 83/14 Field of Search ..222/182, 153, 402.13, ZZZ/402.11, 402.12; 239/2885, 288.3; D9/258; 128/225, 249

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,657,838 11/1953 Kramer et al .l 222/570 X 3,272,390 9/1966 Horwitt 222/153 3,519,173 7/1970 Sagarin 222/402.l3 3,589,570 6/1971 Gach ZZZ/402.13

'I II -II II Primary ExaminerStanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Donnelly, Maky, Renner & Otto [5 7] ABSTRACT A guard for spray valves comprises a longitudinallysplit substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having projections extending outwardly from the split ends. The guard member is expanded outwardly for positioning its bottom edge in resilient gripping relationship around an annular bead at the top of an aerosol sprayer. The guard member surrounds and protects a valve actuator mounted on top of the container, with Y the projections extending outwardly on opposite sides of a discharge nozzle. A plurality of circumferentiallyspaced inwardly extending detents adjacent the bottom edge of the guard member projects beneath the annular bead.

13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures GUARD FOR SPRAY VALVES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application pertains to the art of aerosol sprayers, and more particularly to guard members for protecting valves and valve actuators on such sprayers.

Aerosol sprayers of a known type include a pressurized container having a valve actuator mounted on the top thereof for discharging its contents. If the container is accidentally dropped, the valve and actuator can be damaged to such an extent that discharge of the container contents is not possible, or the contents can be accidentally discharged. Many arrangements have been proposed for protecting such valves and actuators against damage or accidental discharge. One prior arrangement is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,272,390 to Horwitt who discloses a cylindrical sleeve press fit around an annular head on the top of the container in surrounding relationship to the valve actuator. The sleeve has a top recess for providing finger access to the valve actuator and a bottom slot for accommodating a discharge nozzle. In such an arrangement, there is no protection for the discharge nozzle, and cutting or machining operations on a cylindrical sleeve member are very expensive. In addition, containers of the type described are often made of relatively soft metal which is rather easily deformed and press fitting a cylindrical sleeve onto the container annular bead does not provide a secure mounting for the sleeve. In other words, such sleeve can be easily knocked off from the container.

Many other arrangements for protecting aerosol spray valves and actuators include molded plastic guard members which grip the container annular bead. Such plastic members are easily deformable and do not securely lock onto the container annular bead. In addition, such prior guard members do not have arrangements for protecting a laterally extending discharge nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A guard for spray valves comprises a longitudinallysplit substantially cylindrical resilient guard member which is expanded outwardly for positioning its bottom edge in resilient gripping relationship around an annular bead at the top of an aerosol container. The guard member surrounds the spray valve actuator for protecting same against damage or accidental discharge.

in accordance with a preferred arrangement, projections extend outwardly from the split ends of the guard member on opposite sides of a discharge nozzle.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the guard member includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced inwardly extending detents adjacent its bottom edge for gripping beneath the container annular bead or biting into same.

The guard member is preferably made of spring steel and a recess is provided in its top edge opposite the split to facilitate finger access to the valve actuator.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved guard for spray valves.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a spray valve guard which includes protection for a discharge nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray valve guard which is very economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spray valve guard which securely grips a container annular bead for preventing displacement of such guard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of an aerosol container having the guard of the present invention installed thereon, and with portions in section for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 2 is a plan view looking generally in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view looking generally in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view looking generally in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows an aerosol container A having a centrally located circular top opening which is closed by a combined closure and valve mounting member 12 having its outer peripheral edge portion folded or spun over on top of the peripheral edge portion of the container opening in a known manner to define a circular annular bead 14 at the top of container A.

Container A is adapted to contain any material which is capable of being dispensed, along with a gaseous propellant for pressurizing such container to discharge the contents thereof. A normally closed selectively operable discharge valve 16 has a dip tube 18 extending downwardly into container A and an upwardly extending valve operator 20.

An actuator button 22 has a bore 24 receiving operator 20 with a press fit and a discharge passage 26 extends from such bore 24 through laterally extending discharge nozzle 28 which extends laterally to terminate beyond annular bead 14.

It will be recognized that the improved guard of the present invention can be used with aerosol dispensers having many different types of valves, including flowthrough types or aspirating type. In addition, the guard of the present invention can be used with aerosol sprayers wherein actuator 22 and nozzle 28 are separate from one another so that such button reciprocates relative to such nozzle.

In accordance with the invention, guard member B is made of spring steel and includes a generally cylindrical main portion 32 which is longitudinally-split along its full length to define spaced-apart split ends 34 having integral opposite projections 36 extending outwardly therefrom. Top edge 38 of guard member B has an arcuate recess 40 therein opposite the longitudinal split to facilitate finger access to actuator button 22. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced detents 41 are formed in main portion 38 of guard member B adjacent bottom edge 42 thereof for extending beneath annular bead 14 to securely lock guard B in position.

The improved guard member of the present invention can be stamped from flat rectangular metal strips to form projections 36, recess 40 and detents 41. Such flat strip can then be bent into the shape shown and described for heat treatment for giving such member the properties of spring steel.

The dimensions of guard member B will vary depending upon the various sizes of annular beads at the top of aerosol sprayers and the various shapes for actuator button 22. In one arrangement, where the exterior diameter of annular bead 14 is around 1 and A inches, the internal diameter of cylindrical portion 32 in its relaxed condition is around 1 and /8 inches. the use of an expansion tool or the like, guard member B is resiliently expanded outwardly within its elastic limit for positioning its bottom edge 42 around container annular bead 14. Removal of the expansion force causes cylindrical portion 32 to resiliently contract for securely gripping against annular bead 14 with a very high gripping force. Projections 36 extend outwardly in diverging relationship as shown in FIG. 2 on opposite sides of discharge nozzle 28. Top edge 38 of guard member B preferably extends at least flush with the uppermost point on actuator button 22, and preferably extends somewhat above such highest point. The outer endsof projections 36 extend at least flush with the outer end of nozzle 28, and preferably extend slightly beyond such outer nozzle end. The top and bottom edges of projections 36 extend above and below nozzle 28 for protecting same in the actuated and non-actuated positions of actuator button 22.

Detents 42 are simply small projections which extend inwardly beneath annular bead 14 and can also bite into such bead for securely locking guard member B against displacement from its gripping position around container annular bead 14. Although any number of such detents can be provided, one arrangement which has been tested includes five such detents spaced substantially equi-distantly around cylindrical portion 32.

The contents of container A are discharged simply by pressing downwardly on the top of actuator button 22 for moving valve operator to open valve 16 and discharge the contents of container A through nozzle 28. If container A is accidentally dropped or otherwise accidentally bumped into other objects, guard member B securely protects any damage to actuator 22 and nozzle 28, and thereby also prevents damage to valve 16. Such guard member also protects against accidental discharge of the contents of container A if such container is accidentally dropped or bumped against an object.

In the arrangement shown, projections 36 are substantially rectangular and extend approximately onehalf the height of cylindrical portion 32. Such an arrangement makes it possible to stamp guards successively in a strip of metal, with the only metal wasteage being that from forming recess 40. However, it will be recognized that projections 36 can take many other shapes and can extend the full height of cylindrical portion 32 if so desired.

The space between split ends 34 provides a convenient opening in guard member B through which the contents of the aerosol sprayer are discharged through the discharge outlet.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A guard for use on aerosol sprayers of the type including a valve discharge actuator and discharge nozzle mounted on the top of a container having an annular bead around the valve and actuator, comprising; a longitudinally-split substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having top and bottom edges and projections extending outwardly from the ends of said guard member at said split, said guard member having a relaxed diameter less than the diameter of the container annular bead and being resiliently expandable for positioning said bottom edge thereof around the bead to resiliently grip same while said guard member surrounds the actuator and said projections extend outwardly on opposite sides of the nozzle for protecting such actuator and nozzle.

2. The guard of claim 1 and including a recess in said top edge opposite said split for facilitating positioning of a finger on the actuator for depressing same.

3. The guard of claim 1 and including inwardly extending detents on said guard member adjacent said bottom edge for gripping beneath the container annular bead.

4. The guard of claim 1 wherein said guard is of spring metal.

5. The guard of claim 1 wherein said projections diverge outwardly from said split when said guard member is in resilient gripping position around the annular bead.

6. A guard for spray valves comprising; a longitudinally-split substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having top and bottom edges and projections extending outwardly therefrom at said split, a recess in said top edge opposite said split, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced inwardly extending detents adjacent said bottom edge.

7. In an aerosol sprayer of the type including a pressurized container having a discharge valve assembly secured to the top thereof by a crimped annular bead, said valve assembly including an actuating button and a discharge orifice, a guard held to said bead in surrounding relationship to said valve, said guard comprising a longitudinally-split substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having a bottom edge and a circumferential extent greater than between the ends thereof at said split, said guard member having a relaxed diameter less than the diameter of said bead and being resiliently expanded outwardly with said bottom edge thereof surrounding said bead in resilient gripping relationship thereto, said guard member having a top edge at least portions of which extend at least substantially flush with the top of said button, and an opening in said guard member aligned with said discharge orifice.

8. The sprayer of claim 7 and including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced inwardly extending detents in said guard member adjacent said bottom edge thereof extending beneath said bead.

9. The sprayer of claim 7 wherein said opening aligned with said discharge orifice comprises the space between the ends of said guard member at said slit.

10. The sprayer of claim 9 wherein said discharge orifice comprises a nozzle extending laterally from said button through said space between the ends of said guard member at said slit and terminating beyond said .bead, said guard member having integral projections 13. The sprayer of claim 7 wherein said discharge orifice comprises a nozzle extending laterally from said button through said opening and terminating beyond said bead, said guard member having integral projections extending outwardly from said opening on opposite sides of said nozzle at least as far as the end of said nozzle. 

1. A guard for use on aerosol sprayers of the type including a valve discharge actuator and discharge nozzle mounted on the top of a container having an annular bead around the valve and actuator, comprising; a longitudinally-split substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having top and bottom edges and projections extending outwardly from the ends of said guard member at said split, said guard member having a relaxed diameter less than the diameter of the container annular bead and being resiliently expandable for positioning said bottom edge thereof around the bead to resiliently grip same while said guard member surrounds the actuator and said projections extend outwardly on opposite sides of the nozzle for protecting such actuator and nozzle.
 1. A guard for use on aerosol sprayers of the type including a valve discharge actuator and discharge nozzle mounted on the top of a container having an annular bead around the valve and actuator, comprising; a longitudinally-split substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having top and bottom edges and projections extending outwardly from the ends of said guard member at said split, said guard member having a relaxed diameter less than the diameter of the container annular bead and being resiliently expandable for positioning said bottom edge thereof around the bead to resiliently grip same while said guard member surrounds the actuator and said projections extend outwardly on opposite sides of the nozzle for protecting such actuator and nozzle.
 2. The guard of claim 1 and including a recess in said top edge opposite said split for facilitating positioning of a finger on the actuator for depressing same.
 3. The guard of claim 1 and including inwardly extending detents on said guard member adjacent said bottom edge for gripping beneath the container annular bead.
 4. The guard of claim 1 wherein said guard is of spring metal.
 5. The guard of claim 1 wherein said projections diverge outwardly from said split when said guard member is in resilient gripping position around the annular bead.
 7. In an aerosol sprayer of the type including a pressurized container having a discharge valve assembly secured to the top thereof by a crimped annular bead, said valve assembly including an actuating button and a discharge orifice, a guard held to said bead in surrounding relationship to said valve, said guard comprising a longitudinally-split substantially cylindrical resilient guard member having a bottom edge and a circumferential extent greater than 180* between the ends thereof at said split, said guard member having a relaxed diameter less than the diameter of said bead and being resiliently expanded outwardly with said bottom edge thereof surrounding said bead in resilient gripping relationship thereto, said guard member having a top edge at least portions of which extend at least substantially flush with the top of said button, and an opening in said guard member aligned with said discharge orifice.
 8. The sprayer of claim 7 and including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced inwardly extending detents in said guard member adjacent said bottom edge thereof extending beneath said bead.
 9. The sprayer of claim 7 wherein said opening aligned with said discharge orifice comprises the space between the ends of said guard member at said slit.
 10. The sprayer of claim 9 wherein said discharge orifice comprises a nozzle extending laterally from said button through said space between the ends of said guard member at said slit and terminating beyond said bead, said guard member having integral projections extending outwardly from the ends of said split on opposite sides of said nozzle at least as far as the end of said nozzle.
 11. The sprayer of claim 10 and including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced inwardly extending detents in said guard member adjacent said bottom edge thereof extending beneath said bead.
 12. The sprayer of claim 11 and including a recess in said top edge of said guard member opposite said split.
 13. The sprayer of claim 7 wherein said discharge orifice comprises a nozzle extending laterally from said button through said opening and terminating beyond said bead, said guard member having integral projections extending outwardly from said opening on opposite sides of said nozzle at least as far as the end of said nozzle. 